Negative pressure wound therapy dressing

ABSTRACT

A wound dressing suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy system includes a cover layer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. The cover layer includes an opening therein through which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may pass through the cover layer. A vacuum port is affixed to the cover layer, and establishes a substantially fluid tight seal about the opening in the cover layer. The vacuum port includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the opening in the cover layer and a connector to facilitate connection to a vacuum source. A packing member is affixed to the cover layer, to provide a wound dressing that may be applied in a single step process. The packing member is adapted to fill the wound and support the cover layer when a negative pressure is applied to the reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of the PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2012/030829, filed on Mar. 28, 2012, and whichclaims priority to application U.S. application Ser. No. 13/079,298,filed on Apr. 4, 2011.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wound dressings for use in anegative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system. In particular, thedisclosure relates to a composite wound dressing that includes a woundfiller or packing member affixed to a cover layer to facilitate woundhealing and ease the application of the dressing to a wound.

2. Background of Related Art

The body's natural wound healing process is a complex series of eventsbeginning at the moment of injury. Initially the body reacts bydelivering proteins and other factors to the wound through the bloodstream to minimize the damage. Blood clots to prevent blood loss whilecells engulf bacteria and debris to carry it away from the wound bite.Next, the body begins to repair itself in a stage of healing oftenreferred to as the proliferate phase. This phase is characterized by thedeposition of granulation tissue in the wound bed. Granulation tissueprovides a base structure over which cells may migrate inwardly from theperiphery to close the wound. Finally the process ends as collagen givesstrength to new tissue over time often forming a scar.

One technique for promoting the natural healing process, particularly,but not exclusively during the proliferate phase, is known as negativepressure wound therapy (NPWT). Application of a reduced pressure, e.g.sub-atmospheric, to a localized reservoir over a wound has been found toassist in closing the wound. The reduced pressure may be effective topromote blood flow to the area, to stimulate the formation ofgranulation tissue and the migration of healthy tissue over the wound bythe natural process. Also a reduced pressure may inhibit bacterialgrowth by assisting in removing fluids exuding from the wound. Thistechnique has proven effective for chronic or non-healing wounds, buthas also been used for other purposes such as post-operative wound care.

The general NPWT protocol provides for the introduction of a filler orpacking member into the wound, and subsequently applying a cover layerover wound and packing member. The packing member serves to support thecover layer and also to absorb and/or promote fluid transport away fromthe wound bed. The wound filler may comprise such materials asnon-reticulated foams, non-woven fabrics, continuous fibers or gauze.The cover layer may comprise a thin polymeric film that includes anadhesive periphery for forming a substantially fluid tight seal with thehealthy skin surrounding the wound. The cover layer thus defines avacuum reservoir over the wound where a reduced pressure may bemaintained over time by the application of individual or cyclicevacuation procedures.

In some instances, applying a packing member and a cover layerindividually to a wound may be a time consuming, and labor intensiveprocess. A composite wound dressing that includes a packing memberaffixed to a cover layer may facilitate the application of the wounddressing to a wound for use in a (NPWT) system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a wound dressing suitable for use innegative pressure wound therapy system. The dressing includes a coverlayer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which a negativepressure may be maintained. The cover layer includes an opening thereinthrough which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may pass through thecover layer. A vacuum port is affixed to the cover layer, andestablishes a substantially fluid tight seal about the opening in thecover layer. The vacuum port includes a hollow interior in fluidcommunication with the opening, and a connector to facilitate connectionto a vacuum source. A packing member is affixed to the cover layer. Thepacking member is adapted to fill the wound and to support the coverlayer when a negative pressure is applied to the reservoir.

The packing member may include an open-celled foam arranged to exhibit agenerally planar cross-section, and may radially surround the vacuumport. The packing member may be spirally arranged and include aspirally-shaped major seam separating individual windings of spiral. Thepacking member may also include a plurality of minor seams extendinglaterally across the individual windings of the spiral to definediscrete and separable components of the packing member.

The packing member may alternatively include a plurality of discreteelongated fingers extending distally from a distal side of the coverlayer. The elongated fingers may be constructed of a tow of continuousfilaments, or the elongated fingers may be constructed of strips of afoam material. The packing member may also include a supporting mediaaffixed to the cover layer that defines a plurality of apertures thereinthrough which a proximal end of the elongated fingers are interlaced.The supporting media may be constructed as a generally planar polymericmesh. The supporting media may also define a flange of the vacuum port,or the supporting media may include a relatively pliable portion of aflange of the vacuum port.

The packing member may include a cellulose solution that is adapted tomaintain the packing member in a relatively rigid condition prior toinstallation of the wound dressing, and a relatively pliable conditionwhen the packing member is in contact with a wound. The cellulosesolution may be arranged on an outer surface of the elongated fingers tosubstantially encapsulate the elongated fingers, allowing the clinicianto strategically place the wound filler material in the wound bedwithout interfering with the application of the adhesive layer. Thecellulose solution may be infused with vitamins and minerals thatpromote healthy wound healing, such as vitamin E.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a wound dressing includesa cover layer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which anegative pressure may be maintained. The cover layer includes an openingtherein through which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may passthrough the cover layer. A vacuum port is affixed to the cover layer,and establishes a substantially fluid tight seal about the opening inthe cover layer. The vacuum port includes a hollow interior in fluidcommunication with the opening, and a connector to facilitate connectionto a vacuum source. A packing member is permanently affixed to a distalside of the cover layer, and includes a plurality of discrete elongatedfingers extending distally from the distal side of the cover layer.

The cover layer may include an adhesive coating on the distal sidethereof, and an adhesive bond may be established between the cover layerand the packing member by the adhesive coating. A release sheet or linermay be affixed to the cover layer by the adhesive coating on the distalside of the cover layer such that the packing member is interposedbetween the release sheet and the cover layer. The packing member mayinclude a polymeric foam material cut such that each of the elongatedfingers extends from continuous portion of the foam material. In someembodiments, the elongated fingers of the packing member may extendthrough an opening in the release liner.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system fornegative or subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing awound includes a cover layer dimensioned for positioning relative to awound bed of a subject to establish a reservoir over the wound bed inwhich a negative pressure may be maintained. A packing member ispermanently affixed to a distal side of the cover layer, and includes apolymeric foam material. The system also includes a vacuum source influid communication with the wound bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, together with the detailed description of theembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a negative pressure wound therapyapparatus with a wound dressing installed over a wound in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wound dressing of FIG. 1 aspackaged prior to application over the wound;

FIG. 3 is a distal or wound-facing side view of the wound dressing ofFIG. 1 depicting a spiral die-cut packing member affixed to a coverlayer;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a wounddressing depicting a packing member cut to form elongated fingers;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an another alternate embodiment of awound dressing the wound dressing including elongated fingersencapsulated in a thin shell;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of awound dressing including a packing member woven into a supporting media;and

FIG. 7 is a partial, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of awound dressing including a port member including a flange serving as asupporting media for a packing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The attached figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure and are referenced to describe the embodiments depictedtherein. Hereinafter, the disclosure will be described in detail byexplaining the figures wherein like reference numerals represent likeparts throughout the several views.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for negative pressurewound therapy (NPWT) is depicted for use on a wound “w” surrounded byhealthy skin “s” in accordance with the present disclosure. Apparatus 10may be used to subject the wound “w” to a negative pressurecontinuously, or in varying intervals depending on the nature andseverity of the wound “w.” The use of a wound dressing in this mannerhas been found to promote healing by reducing the probability ofinfection, stimulating the deposition of granulation tissue and otherbeneficial processes. To facilitate the application of a negativepressure, the apparatus 10 includes a wound dressing 12 positionedrelative to the wound “w” to define a reservoir 14 in which a negativepressure appropriate to stimulate healing may be maintained.

Wound dressing 12 includes an optional contact layer 18 positioned indirect contact with the bed of wound “w.” Contact layer 18 may comprisea porous film including apertures therein permitting the negativepressure applied to the reservoir 14 to penetrate into the wound “w,”and also permitting exudates to be drawn from the wound “w.”Three-dimensional formed and apertured films such as those provided byTredegar Film Products of Richmond, Va., may be suitable forconstructing contact layer 18.

Packing member 20 is positioned in the wound “w” over the contact layer18 and is intended to allow wound dressing 12 to absorb and capturewound exudates, or to transport wound exudates away from the wound “w”and out of the dressing 12. Packing member 20 is shaped to beconformable to the shape of wound “w,” and to slightly overfill thewound “w.” Alternatively, the packing member 20 may be sized and shapedto fill the wound “w” up to the level of healthy skin “s.”

The packing member 20 may be constructed of an absorbent material suchas gauze, reticulated foam, continuous fibers or alginate fibers toreceive or transport any exudate that migrates through the contact layer18. One particular antimicrobial dressing, commercially available underthe trademark Covidien™ AMD offered by Tyco Healthcare Group LP (d/b/aCovidien), may be suitable for use as packing member 20. The Covidien™AMD Foam dressing is polyurethane-based foam including the antisepticagent polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). A microstructured open-celledsurface on the foam pad promotes absorption of exudates, and the addedPHMB attacks bacteria on and within the dressing 12. The Covidien™ AMDFoam dressing is described in greater detailed below with reference toFIG. 2.

To discourage adhesion to the wound “w,” the packing member 20 may alsocomprise a material configured such that any stray fibers do not tend toprotrude through apertures formed in contact layer 18 where they maybecome engulfed by newly forming granulation tissue. One particular typeof material exhibiting this characteristic is formed of a tow ofcontinuous filaments comprising either natural or man-made fibers.Continuous filaments include those relatively long strands of asynthetic material such as nylon, rayon, etc., which may offer a smoothcontinuous outer surface substantially free of the protruding fibrilscommonly associated with natural materials such as cotton. The use ofcontinuous filaments of a hydrophobic material such as polyolefin maypermit a complete removal of packing member 20 when the dressing 12 ischanged without re-injuring the wound “w.”

Wound dressing 12 also includes a cover layer 24. Cover layer 24 ispositioned over the wound “w” such that an adhesive 26 on an undersideof the cover layer 24 forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with thesurrounding skin “s.” Thus, cover layer 24 may act as both a microbialbarrier to prevent contaminants from entering the wound “w,” and also afluid barrier to maintain the integrity of vacuum reservoir 14. Theadhesive 26 on the underside of the cover layer 24 also affixes thepacking member 20 to the cover layer 24. Thus, the cover layer 24 andthe packing member 20 may be installed on over the wound “w” together asa single component.

Cover layer 24 is preferably formed from a moisture vapor permeablemembrane to promote the exchange of oxygen and moisture between thewound “w” and the atmosphere, and is preferably transparent permit avisual assessment of wound conditions without requiring removal of thecover layer 24. A transparent polyurethane membrane providing asufficient moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) for use as coverlayer 24 is sold under the trade name POLYSKIN®II by Tyco HealthcareGroup LP (d/b/a Covidien). Alternatively, cover layer 24 may comprise animpermeable membrane or a substantially rigid member.

An optional vacuum port 30 having a flange 34 may also be included inwound dressing 12 to facilitate connection of the wound dressing 12 to afluid conduit 36. An upper surface of the flange 34 is adhered to thecover layer 24 by the adhesive 26 on the underside of the cover layer24. Thus, the vacuum port 30 is affixed to the cover layer 24, and maybe installed over the wound “w” together with the cover layer 24 and thepacking member 20 as a single component. Alternatively, an adhesive (notshown) on the underside the flange 34 may be provided such that thevacuum port 30 may be installed over the cover layer 24. Vacuum port 30may be provided as a pre-affixed component of dressing 12, as acomponent of fluid conduit 36 or entirely independently. Alternatively,vacuum port 30 may be eliminated from dressing 12 if other provisionsare made for providing fluid communication with the fluid conduit 36.

The vacuum port 30 may be constructed of a polypropylene material andmay be configured as a rigid or flexible, low-profile component. Thevacuum port 30 may be adapted to receive fluid conduit 36 in areleasable and fluid-tight manner. An outer surface of the fluid conduit36 may frictionally engage an inner surface of the vacuum port 30.Alternatively, a barbed connector (see FIG. 5), quick disconnect,bayonet coupling or permanent coupling methods may be employed to couplethe fluid conduit to the vacuum port 30. A hollow interior of the vacuumport 30 provides fluid communication between the fluid conduit 36 andthe reservoir 14.

Fluid conduit 36 extends from the vacuum port 30 to provide fluidcommunication between the reservoir 14 and a fluid collection canister40. Any suitable conduit may be used for fluid conduit 36 includingthose fabricated from flexible elastomeric or polymeric materials. Fluidconduit 36 may connect to the canister 40 in a fluid-tight manner by anyappropriate mechanism including any of the mechanisms described abovefor connecting the fluid conduit to the vacuum port 30.

Collection canister 40 may comprise any container suitable forcontaining wound fluids. For example, a rigid bottle may be used asshown or alternatively a flexible polymeric pouch may be appropriate.Collection canister 40 may contain an absorbent material to consolidateor contain the wound drainage or debris. For example, super absorbentpolymers (SAP), silica gel, sodium polyacrylate, potassiumpolyacrylamide or related compounds may be provided within canister 40.At least a portion of canister 40 may be transparent to assist inevaluating the color, quality or quantity of wound exudates. Atransparent canister may thus assist in determining the remainingcapacity of the canister or when the canister should be replaced.

Leading from collection canister 40 is another section of fluid conduit36 providing fluid communication with vacuum source 50. Vacuum source 50generates or otherwise provides a negative pressure to the NWPTapparatus 10. Vacuum source 50 may comprise a peristaltic pump, adiaphragmatic pump or other mechanism that is biocompatible and drawsfluids, e.g. atmospheric gasses and wound exudates, from the reservoir14 appropriate to stimulate healing of the wound “w.” Preferably, thevacuum source 50 is adapted to produce a sub-atmospheric pressure in thereservoir 14 ranging between about 20 mmHg and about 500 mmHg, morepreferably, about 75 mmHg to about 125 mmHg, or more preferably, about40 mmHg to about 80 mmHg.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a wound dressing 12 is depicted in an initialconfiguration prior to application over the wound “w” (FIG. 1). Thepacking member 20, cover layer 24 and the vacuum port 30 are all coupledto one another by the adhesive 26 on the underside of the cover layer24. The vacuum port 30 extends through a central opening 24 a in thecover layer 24 and is adhered to a radially central region “c” of thecover layer 24 by the flange 34. The flange 34 establishes asubstantially fluid tight seal with the cover layer 24. The packingmember 20 radially surrounds the vacuum port 30 and is adhered to aradially intermediate region “i” of the cover layer 24. A release liner54 is adhered to the adhesive 26 at a peripheral region “p” of the coverlayer 24 and serves to protect the adhesive 26 and the packing member 20prior to use of the dressing 12. The release liner 54 may be constructedof a silicone coated paper or similar material that will readily detachfrom the cover layer 26 without inhibiting ability of the adhesive 26 inthe peripheral region “p” to form a fluid-tight seal with the skin “s”(FIG. 1).

The packing member 20 depicted in FIG. 2 is constructed as a die-cut pador disc of the Covidien™ AMD foam, and is adhered to the cover layer 24by the adhesive 26 radially surrounding the vacuum port 30. The packingmember 20 assumes a generally planar cross-section and occupies arelatively small volume prior to exposure to a moist wound environment.The planar configuration of the packing member 20 is suitable for use inwounds such as shallow ulcers that generally do not require a largeamount of material to fill the wound. The tendency of the Covidien™ AMDfoam to swell in the presence of moisture helps fill the void of thewound “w” (FIG. 1), and thus, provides support to the cover layer 24 asthe wound “w” is subjected to negative pressure. The tendency to swellin the presence of moisture also helps to maintain intimate contactbetween the packing member 20 and the wound bed “w” (FIG. 1). Thecontinuous nature of a die-cut foam pad alleviates a risk of portions ofthe packing member being inadvertently left in the wound “w” when thewound dressing 12 is removed. The microstructured open celled surface onthe foam pad discourages ingrowth of tissue from a wound site into thematrix of the packing member 20, and thus alleviates the risk ofreinjuring a wound when the wound dressing 12 is removed or changed. Inother embodiments (not shown) a gauze pad or non-woven wound dressingsponge may be affixed to the distal side of the foam packing member 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the packing member 20 is die-cut to assume aspiral configuration. A spirally shaped major seam 56 is cut betweensuccessive windings or layers of the spiral, and a plurality of minorseams 60 is cut laterally into the windings of the spiral to define aplurality of discrete components 62. The seams 56, 60 may extendentirely through the packing member 20 to define the discrete separablecomponents 62 of the spiral. Alternately, the seams 56, 60 may extendpartially through the packing member 20 or may be defined by a series ofperforations to permit each of the discrete components 62 to be readilyseparable from the spiral. Thus, a clinician may unwind the spiral andtear or cut any number of discrete components 62 from the spiral asnecessary to conform the packing member 20 to the size of the wound “w.”

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of a wound dressing 68includes a cover layer 24 and a vacuum port 30 affixed thereto in amanner substantially similar to the wound dressing 12 described abovewith reference to FIG. 2. The wound dressing 68 also includes a packingmember 70 affixed to the distal side of the cover layer 24. The packingmember 70 includes a plurality of elongated fingers 72 that may be cutto an appropriate size or length at the time the wound dressing 68 isinstalled to accommodate a particular wound configuration. The packingmember 70 may be constructed of any of the materials discussed above forconstruction of the packing member 20 (FIG. 2) including a tow ofcontinuous filaments, and a die-cut open celled foam having fingers 72cut therein.

Each of the elongated fingers includes a proximal end 72 a affixed tothe cover layer 24, and a free end 72 b extending therefrom in a distaldirection. Where the packing member 70 is constructed of a foammaterial, the elongated fingers 72 may have a length “l” in the range ofabout 1 inch to about 4 inches, and a thickness “t” in the range ofabout 0.125 inches to about 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, where thepacking member 70 is constructed of a tow of continuous filaments, theelongated fingers 72 may be substantially longer and narrower. Thefingers 72 are supported by the adhesive 26 on the distal side of thecover layer, and may hang down from the cover layer 24 into the wound“w” when as the dressing 12 is installed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of a wound dressing 76includes a cover layer 24 and a vacuum port 78 affixed thereto. Thevacuum port 78 includes a barbed connector 80 for engaging an interiorsurface of a tubing section 36 in a fluid-tight manner. In otherembodiments (not shown) the tubing section 36 and vacuum port 78 may theprovided or fitted with a universal connector. A universal connector isa connector of a type used to interchangeably connect a variety ofdifferent components to one another, as opposed to a propriety connectorused to connect only a specific component to another specific component.A universal connector may, for example, employ an industry standardconnector type, such that the dressing 76 may be used in conjunctionwith a wide variety of standard medical equipment.

The wound dressing 76 includes a packing member 82 affixed to the distalside of the cover layer 24, and the packing member 82 includes aplurality of elongated fingers 84 extending in a distal direction fromthe cover layer 24 in a manner substantially similar to the elongatedfingers 72 described above with reference to FIG. 4. The elongatedfingers 84 could also be constructed of a continuous tow treated withPHMB for microbial efficacy. The wound dressing 76 includes a releasesheet or liner 86 adhered to the adhesive 26 of the cover layer 24, andthe release liner 86 includes an opening 86 a therein through which thepacking member 82 and the elongated fingers 84 extend. The opening 86 ain the release liner 86 permits a substantially flat release liner 86 toprotect the adhesive 26 prior to use of the dressing 76, and mayfacilitate application of the release liner 86 to the cover layer 24during manufacturing of the dressing 76.

The elongated fingers 84 are each encapsulated in a thin shell 88disposed on an exterior surface of the respective finger 84. The shell88 is constructed of a cellulose solution that may contain proteins andvitamins that could aid in the wound healing process. The celluloseserves as a stiffening agent that provides some rigidity to the fingers84 to facilitate handling and placement of the wound dressing 76. Oncethe fingers are wetted by the moist wound environment, the fingers 84will transition to a soft and pliable configuration that promotespatient comfort. In other configurations, the shell 88 could beconstructed of a polymeric material having a glass transitiontemperature above room temperature (i.e., above about 25° C.), but belowbody temperature (i.e., below about 37° C.). At room temperature, thecoating stiffens the fingers 84 for ease in handling and manipulation,and upon placement in a wound “w,” the shell 88 will soften as thetemperature rises above the glass transition temperature of thepolymeric material, thereby rendering the fingers pliable so that theyconform to the contours of the wound “w.” In still other configurations,the fingers 84 may be soaked in the cellulose solution or polymericmaterial such that the stiffening agent is absorbed into the matrix ofthe fingers 84 rather than being disposed on an exterior surface asshell or coating.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of a wound dressing 90includes a cover layer 24 and a vacuum port 30 substantially similar tothe cover layer 24 and vacuum port 30 of wound dressing 12 describedabove with reference to FIG. 2. The wound dressing 90 also includes apacking member 92 that may be affixed to the distal side of cover layer24 such that the entire wound dressing 90 may be applied over the wound“w” (FIG. 1) as a single component. The packing member 92 is constructedof a continuous tow 94 woven into a supporting media 96. The supportingmedia 96 is constructed as a generally planar, polypropylene screen ormesh including apertures 96 a therein that are sized and shaped toaccommodate the tow 94 interlaced therethrough. A central opening 96 bis defined through the supporting media 96 that is sized to accommodatethe vacuum port 30. The packing member 92 may thus be affixed to thecover layer 24 to radially surround the vacuum port 30. The tow 94 maybe woven closely to the supporting media 96 such that the packing member92 defines a substantially flat pad, or alternatively, the tow 94 may bearranged to protrude or hang in a distal direction from the supportingmedia 96 such that the tow 94 defines elongated fingers 98 as depictedin phantom. In other embodiments (not shown) the supporting media 96 maybe configured to receive thin strips of a foam material, woven medicalfabrics, or non-woven material woven therethrough.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of a wound dressing 100includes a cover layer 24 and a vacuum port 102 affixed thereto. Thevacuum port 102 includes a flange 104 that serves to affix the vacuumport 102 to the cover layer 24 in a substantially fluid-tight manner,and also serves to provide a supporting media for thin strips of a foammaterial 106. The strips 106 include a proximal end 106 a interlacedthrough apertures 104 a defined in the flange 104, and a pair of freeends 106 b extending from the flange 104 in a distal direction. The freeends 106 b may be cut to an appropriate length at the time ofapplication to a wound “w” (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, a central portion 104 b of the flange 104 may beconstructed to exhibit a relative rigidity with respect to a radialextension 104 c of the flange 104, which is constructed to exhibit arelatively pliability. The relatively pliable extension 104 c may flexand bend with the cover layer 24 during evacuation cycles and promotepatient comfort. The extension 104 c may be constructed of a morepliable material than the central portion 104 b, or alternatively, theextension 104 c may be constructed with a tapering or reduced thicknesswith respect to the central portion 104 b.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity orunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wound treatment apparatus, comprising: a coverlayer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which a negativepressure may be maintained, the cover layer including an opening thereinthrough which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may pass through thecover layer; a vacuum port affixed to the cover layer to establish asubstantially fluid tight seal about the opening in the cover layer, thevacuum port including a hollow interior in fluid communication with theopening in the cover layer, and a connector to facilitate connection toa vacuum source; and a packing member adapted to fill the wound and tosupport the cover layer when a negative pressure is applied to thereservoir, the packing member comprising a plurality of rows of paralleldiscrete elongated fingers, the discrete elongated fingers extendingdistally from a distal side of the cover layer, wherein each elongatedfinger comprises a continuous strip of open-celled foam with no innerconduit, and wherein the plurality of discrete elongated fingers areseparated from one another by a plurality of gaps.
 2. The woundtreatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuumsource.
 3. The wound treatment apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe discrete elongated fingers are encapsulated by shells.
 4. The woundtreatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the packing memberincludes a supporting media affixed to the cover layer, the supportingmedia defining a plurality of apertures therein through which a proximalend of the elongated fingers are interlaced.
 5. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supporting media isconstructed as a generally planar polymeric mesh.
 6. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supporting media defines aflange of the vacuum port.
 7. A wound treatment apparatus, comprising: acover layer adapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which anegative pressure may be maintained, the cover layer including anopening therein through which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates maypass through the cover layer; a vacuum port affixed to the cover layerto establish a substantially fluid tight seal about the opening in thecover layer, the vacuum port including a hollow interior in fluidcommunication with the opening in the cover layer and a connector tofacilitate connection to a vacuum source; and a packing member, thepacking member including a plurality of rows of parallel discreteelongated fingers comprising an open-celled foam, the discrete elongatedfingers configured to extend distally from the distal side of the coverlayer and a plurality of rows of parallel discrete shells comprising apolymeric material, wherein the plurality of discrete elongated fingersare configured to be inserted within the plurality of discrete shells,and wherein the plurality of discrete shells are more rigid than theplurality of discrete elongated fingers.
 8. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a vacuum source. 9.The wound treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the coverlayer includes an adhesive coating on the distal side thereof, andwherein an adhesive bond is established between the cover layer and thepacking member by the adhesive coating.
 10. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a release sheetaffixed to the cover layer by the adhesive coating on the distal side ofthe cover layer such that the packing member is interposed between therelease sheet and the cover layer.
 11. The wound treatment apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the packing member comprises a polymericfoam material cut such that each of the elongated fingers extends from acontinuous portion of the foam material.
 12. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the elongated fingers areconstructed of a tow of continuous filaments.
 13. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the elongated fingers areconstructed of strips of at least one of the group consisting of gauze,woven fabrics and non-woven absorbent materials.
 14. The wound treatmentapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the packing member includes acellulose solution adapted to maintain the packing member in arelatively rigid condition prior to installation of the wound dressing,and a relatively pliable condition when the packing member is in contactwith a wound.
 15. The wound treatment apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the cellulose solution is arranged on an outer surface of theelongated fingers to substantially encapsulate the elongated fingers.16. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packing membercomprises a foam continuous portion, the plurality of rows of paralleldiscrete elongated fingers extending distally from the continuousportion.
 17. A wound treatment apparatus, comprising: a cover layeradapted to establish a reservoir over a wound in which a negativepressure may be maintained, the cover layer including an opening thereinthrough which atmospheric gasses and wound exudates may pass through thecover layer; an apertured member comprising apertures that extend from atop to a bottom of the apertured member; a packing member adapted tofill the wound and to support the cover layer, the packing membercomprising a plurality of parallel discrete elongated fingers, thediscrete elongated fingers extending distally toward the wound, whereinthe elongated fingers comprise an open-celled foam, and wherein theplurality of discrete elongated fingers are separated from one anotherby a plurality of gaps; and wherein the discrete elongated fingersextend into the apertures.
 18. The wound treatment apparatus of claim17, further comprising a foam member connecting elongated fingers, thefoam member resting atop the apertured member.